A hard-working Army Chef from HQ UKSC(G) recently received a Meritorious Service Medal from GOC UKSC(G), Maj Gen Mungo Melvin.

WO1 Gary Campbell, of the G4 PAYD team, joined the Army in 1988 and since then has served not only in Germany, but also in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Cyprus.  As with many chefs in the early 1990s, WO1 Campbell found himself repeatedly trawled from his unit to serve on operations, rigours that he withstood and excelled in thanks to his self-discipline, determination, pride in his trade and Corps, and professionalism.   Wherever he worked he was an ambassador for his Corps. 

Notably in Skopje (1999), despite a contaminated water supply, a flooded and dangerous kitchen, a mutinous locally-recruited workforce and it being Christmas Eve, WO1 Campbell’s leadership and skills shone through as he fed the NATO HQ and also provided Christmas Dinner to a local orphanage; an outstanding achievement.

Working with a palpable sense of purpose and drive, WO1 Campbell was identified early as a Master Chef, earned fast-track progression through each rank and reachin WO1 in less than 18 years service.  In 2003 he received his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

In addition, he qualified himself as a football coach in 2001 and has subsequently been a renowned figure in the Army Football sphere, both as a player and latterly as a coach developing young soldiers on to the playing field.  He has also taken to organising charity golf matches and golf marathons. 

The MSM was awarded in recognition of such exceptional extra effort and exemplary service over the course of 20 years.  Upon receiving the award WO1 Campbell said: “I am really proud to have received this honour but recognize the fact that this award reflects not just upon me but upon all the service personnel who have worked so hard with and for me during my 24 years of sustaining on behalf of the Army Chefs”.